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yes the install company should eat the cost if alls true, unless some1 else stepped on the drain an broke the pan.. and always use a p trap its not only 4 noise but also helps in proper draining of the pan...maybe a 50/50 deal could be worked out...

thanks. I am trying to find out what is considered 'proper installation.' Particularly, i want to find out about the effects of having or not having a P-trap on the pan, and i want to find out about the effects of the drain line being suspended in the air, hanging from the pan, instead of laying on the roof or supported by 2x4s. Is this considered proper to not have support for the line and not have a P-trap? Will it not harm anything to do it this way? The instruction manual that came with the unit says "the drain line must be properly trapped and routed to a suitable drain." The manual also has in italicized letters, "NOTE: The condensate drain must be properly trapped to provide proper drainage." Are they talking about a P-trap here or are there other kinds of traps that could be properly used by an installer?

here's some pictures of what it looks like from the outside and the diagram from the Installation Instructions. The photos show the duct tape the guy used to 'fix' the problem when i reported it to him while he was there doing the regular maintenance. You can see that the drain line is off the ground for about 4 or 5 feet before it reaches the roof. It looks like there's a tilting or pulling to the side of the pipe that connects to the pan. i don't know if the diagram is much like the way mine is set up, they look different to me, but of course i'm sure there is variation in the proper way to do this.

Any ideas what could cause the duct to disconnect? Is this normal wear and tear? Is it something that i somehow caused by misuse?

Is it very common for people to have so many different problems like this with a 3 year old unit? I don't remember hearing people with newer units talk about having problems. I hear people say "I've had my air conditioner for 15 years and i think i may need to get a new one," and things like that, but for $8500 three years ago, is it really normal to need re-running the drain line, replacing the drain pan, installing a P-trap and reconnecting the return duct after three years?

wow. i had no idea that this was normal and acceptable quality. I never had an AC before. This is my mom's house, she's 90 with dementia. I lived by the beach and never needed AC. I just naively assumed this was not something that needed a lot of repairs. Before we got my mom to install this AC, she had an evaporative cooler on the roof that was decades old and never required repair. i guess they don't make them like they used to. buyer beware, huh?

I had heard the Lennox was a good brand, but I'll try another brand next time because i just can't accept that all of them have this many problems so soon after they are installed. When i was first looking into which one to get, people were telling me that their ACs were trouble free.

i inquired about the the drain pan part by email and i just got a reply. It's not very much. a small fraction of the estimate for the repair. I wonder if they plan on including a P-trap and re-positioning the drain line when they do the repair. And reconnecting the duct. I'll call and find out tomorrow. The suspense is killing me. Not sure about trusting the quality of their work. I guess after they do it, i'll have the guy from the other company come out and check it. I wish i'd had someone come out and check it after it was first installed.

first of all its odviously not the brand of the AC. lennox is a fine brand. its obvious that the install is the problem....a loose return duct, slightly improper installation of condensate. i'd talk to the install co. about these issues. in my opinion its not the equipment, its the install

That unit needs a trap with a cap. Traps are not for noise, they are for negative pressure drains. If neg. press. drains aren't trapped, they back up water until the unit shuts off.

That drain has plenty of fall. The weight did not break the drain pan.

I recommend gettin nasty with the first company if they don't fix it!!!
How long have you been a "maintenance customer" with them??????
And if he just serviced it, how did he not see the duct prob?????
Did he check a temp difference???

I also recommend finding a new maintenance company. They are taking your money for doing nothing!!!!!!!

That unit needs a trap with a cap. Traps are not for noise, they are for negative pressure drains. If neg. press. drains aren't trapped, they back up water until the unit shuts off.

That drain has plenty of fall. The weight did not break the drain pan.

I recommend gettin nasty with the first company if they don't fix it!!!
How long have you been a "maintenance customer" with them??????
And if he just serviced it, how did he not see the duct prob?????
Did he check a temp difference???

I also recommend finding a new maintenance company. They are taking your money for doing nothing!!!!!!!

I dont like those adjustable roof curbs, set the curb, smear a bunch of tar around the edges and connect the flex duct to the bottom of it. I prefer to leave the elbow but it is what it is. I have seen a few decent jobs with those curbs but most of the time hack companys use them. I'm sure they probably didnt fasten the flex to the curb properly, you should have them check the supply side also to make sure it is fastened correctly.